As a youngster growing up in Guadalajara Kevin Chavez often dreamt of representing his country in the Olympics.
Few people will be surprised to see that cherished dream come true this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, given that Chavez has always been regarded as one of Mexico’s most promising divers.
What is surprising is that Chavez won’t be competing in the three-meter trampoline diving event under Mexico’s famous tricolor, but instead the national flag of Australia.
As a 24-year-old, Chavez won a bronze medal for Mexico at the 2013 World Diving Championships. But his diving days seemed numbered after he suffered a serious injury to his knee. Fortunately, he was offered a lifeline from a Mexican coach based in Australia, and Chavez gratefully accepted an offer to travel down under in a bid to revive his career.
After putting in some impressive training, in May Chavez received the green light from diving’s world governing body to qualify for the Rio Games. He was granted his Australian citizenship just ten days before the Olympic selection trials in Melbourne. He finished first in his category and booked his plane ticket to Brazil.
In Rio, Chavez will be competing against his old team mates, Rommel Pacheco and Rodrigo Diego of Mexico.